Patna: Sleuths of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted a raid at the house of Nazre Saddam in Bhikhanpur of Bhagalpur in Bihar on Wednesday morning for links with terror groups based out of Kashmir and Pakistan.
The raid was carried out by NIA teams from Delhi and Patna, with support from local law enforcement agencies, including police personnel and three police vehicles. The raid was prompted by suspicions of Saddam's connections with anti-social elements, particularly links to Pakistani agents and terrorist organisations active in Kashmir.
During the raid, documents related to the trade of counterfeit currency were recovered and Saddam's father, Muhammad Masiuzzama, and other family members were interrogated.
The operation caused significant commotion in the Badi Masjid Lane area as curious residents were seen observing the proceedings from their rooftops. So far, the NIA has not released an official statement regarding the findings of the raid that underscores the agency's ongoing efforts to curb activities related to counterfeit currency and potential links to anti-national elements in the region.
Raids were also conducted in Chhatarpura of the Chauri police station area and Korandihari village of Sahar police station in Bhojpur at the house of Mohammed Nehal and Mohammed Waris, respectively. Waris is in jail in a fake note case. During the raid, evidence of terrorist connections and the smuggling of fake notes was found. The father of Nehal is said to be a teacher in an Urdu school and that of Waris is as a Tola Sevak. NIA is questioning them.
This case also highlights a well-organised counterfeit currency racket with links to cross-border networks, involving operatives from Bihar, Nepal and Kashmir.
Saddam was arrested in Bihar's Motihari town in September 2024 and investigations revealed his connections to anti-national and terrorist organisations, including Pakistani agents in Nepal and terrorist organisations active in Kashmir.
A software engineer and son of a teacher, Saddam allegedly smuggled fake currency across the Nepal border and supplied it to Kashmir. His arrest led to the capture of Muhammad Sarfaraz in Anantnag, Kashmir, establishing further links to extremist groups.
The network spans Bhojpur and Patna, involving multiple individuals. Saddam's counterfeit currency pipeline originated in Bhore village of Nepal, with deliveries near Bhelahi.
His contact, Sarfaraz, was reportedly using the fake notes to fund terrorist activities in Kashmir. Given the NIA's renewed interest in the case, the Bhagalpur raid hints at the availability of further evidence about his activities. Authorities are likely investigating whether he resumed operations post-arrest or if his network is still active.
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